This novel introduces us to Sophie Winston, a divorcée with a talent for hosting parties, decorating, giving advice, and other domestic tasks that are traditionally considered the personal domain of divas. When the novel opens she is gearing up to face-off against one of her oldest friends and rivals, Natasha Smith. Natasha’s not a bad person certainly, but the domestic advice she gives out is definitely a bit on the impractical side, far different from Sophie’s more down to earth “common sense” style advice tips. Sophie and Natasha will be competing in a local stuffing competition, suitable since Thanksgiving is coming up over the long weekend.

Unfortunately (as in all Cozies!) disaster must strike for there to be a plot. Naturally, the two people who have turned up dead are tied to Sophie in some way (the first a somewhat-shady private investigator who is apparently investigating Sophie >>> whose body Sofie discovers, the second the main judge of the stuffing competition >>> again unluckily discovered by Sophie). So Sophie’s already complicated Thanksgiving suddenly becomes even more stressful with a pair of homicide investigations lurking in the background. A sudden fire at her rival Natasha’s house further complicates Thanksgiving, as Sophie finds herself suddenly hosting Natasha’s friends and family as well – including Sophie’s ex-husband Mars, who is now quite attached to Natasha! Even worse, Sophie ends up being considered a potential suspect in the fire as well!

The Diva Runs Out of Thyme is in many ways an archetypal Cozy since it takes an already surprisingly stressful situation (in this case a family visit rotating around Thanksgiving) and further adds complicating elements >>> namely police investigations, a wrinkle I think most people can be thankful they don’t have to face at the average holiday gathering! The Domestic Diva Series also gives out a lot of interesting advice, including recipes and tips for entertaining.

This is a fast-paced series, with end-of-chapter cliff hangers that will keep you turning the pages as quickly as you can. The characters are vividly colorful and make you feel like you’re right there spending time with friends. The mysteries are interesting; don’t be surprised to find red herrings, and Davis usually has a few little side mysteries going at the same time as the murders are being solved. Also, if you love holiday themed Cozies as much as I do, you’ll be happy to know that Krista Davis’ Domestic Diva series has several.

If you’re already a fan of the Domestic Diva Mystery Series, you might also be interested in the other series that Krista Davis started relatively recently, the Paws & Claws Mystery Series, which stars Holly Miller, an employee of a family-owned hotel intended for both human guests and their pets. (I’m sure our beloved Sprite would have loved staying at the Sugar Maple Inn in Wagtail, Virginia! I know I would have >>> minus the murders, that is!)

Just bought “The Diva Runs Out of Thyme” for my Kindle. Love that it’s on sale for only $1.99. Thanks so much for the recommendation and great write-up, Danna. This book sounds great, and I’m always on the look-out for new cozies, especially ones that start off a new-to-me series!

Are you back from D.C.? Hope your trip to visit your daughter was wonderful!

(P.S. Yes, I’m back from D.C. and I had a phenomenal time there. What a city! My daughter took me to see a play at the Ford Theatre, which was, well I was going to say the highlight of my trip, but spending time with her was the real highlight. The theater is beautiful, and oddly it’s a US National Park Service center. And I loved seeing the Cherry Blossoms. Everything was perfect!)

Anne, I didn’t know the Domestic Divas are on audible! We joined Audible way back in 1999, and I remember getting so frustrated that there weren’t many Cozies back then. I’m so glad they have expanded their library to include so many Cozy Mystery authors!

Hi all> I wanted to add a series in the cozy line that you cat lovers and other folks like me, might enjoy! Miranda James does a nice series about a male protagonist named Charlie Harris with a Maine Coon cat named Diesel. The series is wonderful and branches out with a pair if sisters that also solve mysteries. The newest, No Cats Allowed has come out in hardcover (I borrow at my library) and I am just starting it. I’ll let you know, but if it is anything like James’ other Cat in the Stacks books, I’ll love it and I am an Alpha Female so not a traditional cat person as they say.

I love the Domestic Diva series! Its so much fun to see what Natasha will decorate next LOL! Also love the dueling advice column snippets at the beginning of each chapter — so much fun! The only thing I don’t get is WHY Sophie always goes along with & does whatever Natasha (or anyone else) asks — no matter how outrageous & inconvenient. Why doesn’t she just tell Nat to take a hike sometimes????? (And *WHY* is Mars still hanging on with Natasha, since he obviously still/again prefers Sophie??? Kind of like a reverse of the romantic triangles we usually see in cozies…)

Margaret M, and, isn’t it nice that they are both written by Krista Davis, and that she didn’t have to come up with another moniker for her second series? (I know I shouldn’t get started about unnecessary pseudonyms >>> but it’s doggone refreshing when an author is allowed to use just one name for different Cozy series!)

Just a bit of trivia, here. (I hope you don’t mind, Danna.) Technically, Natasha is the ‘Diva’ of this series’ title. The stuck-up and snobby star who throws tantrums if things don’t go exactly her way.
The term started as a term for a starring female opera singer and came to be used for the temperamental ones, in particular.
Now it’s common across all types of music (Pop diva, anyone? Lol!) and I have even heard it used for actresses and other female celebrities, as well.
It still always refers to a spoilt female, though. Just like Natasha in this series! 🙂

Susan*, no, you’re not confused. I was quite surprised to see US National Park Service rangers in the theater. It was somewhat eerie seeing the box where Lincoln was sitting the night he was shot while watching a musical…

I love both of her series. I think they are funny and wonderfully written. I love the Domestic Diva series because of the relationship between Sophie and Natasha. And, of course, her beloved dog and cat. Keep both series coming. I will delight in reading them both.

Krista, I love, love, love the Domestic Diva series. Your way of writing makes me feel like I am right there with all of the characters. Sophie’s house feels so cozy and welcoming. I can smell the flavors of whatever it is she is cooking or baking. Your descriptions of the dishware she uses and her tablescapes paint very vivid images in my mind. I really enjoyed the relationship between Sophie and Wolf and was sad when they were no more. Not that I don’t like Mars, but there was exciting chemistry between Sophie and Wolf. I am anxiously waiting the next book in the series.